Livestock farming, which contributes to nearly 14.5% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water usage, and notable biodiversity decline according to the FAO, is prompting an immediate demand for sustainable alternatives. This imperative has triggered innovation: startups focused on alternative proteins. These startups are utilising science and technology to craft environmentally friendly protein sources, be it through cultured meat, precision fermentation, or plant-based substitutes. With the projected global population reaching 9.7 billion by 2050, there is a need for a 70% increase in food production. More startups are emerging to meet this challenge, addressing both dietary needs and environmental considerations. Following are amongst the notable startups producing alternative protein solutions. 

1. Onami Foods

OnamiFoods produces algae and plant-based seafood for discerning gourmets. They aim to offer sustainable vegan seafood options, such as fish nuggets and fillets, to contribute to the planet’s food needs.

2. SKYFARM Climate Technologies

SKYFARM is developing an autonomous industrial microalgae biomass production system for carbon-negative biomass utilisation. The technology’s applications include soil amendment, nutrition, biofuels, and biomaterials/bioplastics.

3. Algrow Biosciences

Algrow Biosciences develops sustainable bio-ingredients, including proteins, from microalgae, utilizing upcycled co-products in algae biorefinery. Their core technology focuses on removing pigment and off notes from microalgae for versatile use in food applications.

4. Phycom B.V.

Phycom produces cost-effective, high-volume algae for enhancing protein content in alternative protein products, baked goods, pasta, and more.

5. Alver World SA

Alver utilizes microalgae to create high-protein vegan superfoods sold in Europe. Their proprietary strain and patents protect Alver’s EFSA-compliant ingredient, Alver Chlorella, which can be easily incorporated into various foods.

6. Xelliss

Xelliss grows microalgae without additional products or external pollution using patented photobioreactors. They offer programs combining spirulina with turmeric, prebiotics, or probiotics for consumer supplementation.

7. Sea & Believe

Sea & Believe is a food tech company producing alternative proteins using food technology and cultivated algae to create plant-based fish products. They achieve a realistic seafood experience by replicating taste, texture, and nutritional profiles without using actual fish.

8. POSEIDONA

POSEIDONA aims to feed people sustainably by utilizing invasive algae and waste streams from the algae industry to develop protein ingredients for food producers.

9. Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods, established in 2011, focuses on creating plant-based alternatives that replicate the flavors of meat using heme, a molecule found in plants and animals. Their products aim to reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional meat production.

10. Perfect Day

Perfect Day utilizes fermentation technology to create dairy proteins without the need for traditional farming. Founded in 2014, the company’s approach minimizes the environmental footprint associated with conventional dairy production.

11. Solar Foods

Solar Foods, founded in 2017, takes an innovative approach by producing protein directly from carbon dioxide, water, and renewable energy sources using a process similar to photosynthesis. Their method has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of protein production.

12. Isauki

Isauki Superfood is a mission-driven startup developing premium plant-based seafood using macro and microalgae as main ingredients.

13. Motif FoodWorks

Motif FoodWorks utilizes biotechnology to design ingredients that enhance the nutritional and sensory aspects of plant-based foods. Founded in 2019, the company collaborates with food developers to improve the taste and texture of plant-based products.